Sun Microsystems isn't dead yet. They've just announced a new way to increase the speed of information transfer within a computer, up to 60 to 100 times faster than present-day top speeds. The technique uses transmitters inside the computer rather than physical connections between chips.
This is great- but it's still not really innovative. Innovative would be coming up with a way that changes the paradigm of circuit construction. Why do we still think in 2D? Why not make 3D circuit boards? You could use advanced polymer fabrication to make complex "molds" for the circuitry, and then pour in superconductive material to create the actual conduits. Then use UV or acid to destroy the polymer mold and you are left with a complex 3D circuit. This is similar to the nano-engine that Drexler describes in Engines of Creation- but could exist today.
Posted by: Josh Kirschenbaum | September 22, 2003 at 09:30 AM